Gaseous conduction lamp



Dec. 17, 1.935. T, P KOUVALLIS 2,024,529

GAsE'zoUs coNDUcTIoN LAMP Filed Feb. 16, 19:54 2 sheets-sheet 1 "mfg-Til@ Dec. 17, 1935.

T. E. KouvALLls GASEOUS CONDUCTION LAMP Filed Feb. 16; 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mew? zecmafe @Vga/Mis @'I /4 Patented Dec. 17, 1935 UNITED ASTATESv lat-'relai'- OFFICE GASEOUS CQNDUCTION LAMP Theodore l. Kouvallis, Argo, Ill. Application February 16, 1934, Serial No. 711,589

17 Claims.

My invention relates to gaseous conduction lamps, and my main object is to provide a novel lamp of this kind which is designed to operate on the lower voltage Without iiickering or other unstable characteristics. y v l `A further object of the invention is to design the novel lamp with a peculiar structure arrangement which augments the zone of illumination to such an extent that a much brighter light is obtainable than in other lamps of the same-size.

Another object ofthe invention is to so construct thevnovel lamp that it may be made in all sizes to function without the usual ionizing transformer, whatever the supply of voltage may be An additional object ofA the invention is to design a lamp of the above type which combines in a compact zone coactive electrodes of maximum eiective area, conducive to high eiiiciency.

A signicant object of the invention is to provide a novel heater in connection with a chamber-containing a vaporable Ametal as a simple means for incorporating 4an incandescent medium in the gaseous content of the lamp.

With the above objects in view and any others that maysuggest themselves from the specification andclaims to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- I Fig. 1 is an elevation of one form of the novel lamp;

. Fig. 2 is a vertical section;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the anode element;

, Fig. 4 is a perspectiveV view of the cathode element in vertical alinement with` the showing in Fig. 3; v

Fig. 5 is a section of a heater bulb; Fig. 6 is a section of` a vaporizing chamber; Fig. 'I is an elevation o f a heater; f Fig. 8 is a section of a modied vaporizing chamber; Y

Fig. 9 is a section of the heater bulbof Fig. 5 assembled with thev vaporized chamber of Fig. '8; Figs. l and 11 are sections taken respectively on the lines Ill-III and II-II of Fig. 2; and l Fig. 12 is asection taken on the line. I2-I2 ofFig.9. f l Referring specifically to the drawings, it is noted that the-novel lamp isvof conventional form, havinga'glass envelope I5 of any suitable design, and the 'usual stem I5` and tip I5b as terminals. a

Inside the lamp is the usual glass base I6 for the active elements, leads I 'I and I8 extending vthrough the base from terminals Ia and I5b.

i The base I6 rises to form a cylindrical bulb I9 inthe center of the lamp, the lead I1 entering this bulb below and rising in` coiled resistance 5- form about a core 20 of refractory material. The lead then issues from the bulb in an upward direction.

About the bulb I9 is'disposed a chamber 2I having annular divisions in superimposed relation. Thus, the lower division 2I is partly fllled with mercury 22 and communicates with the upper division 23 by way of a space24 about the internal wall 25 of the chamber. 4 The division 2| has a mie-perforation at 2| a which permits the passagevl of metallic vapor but not of the metal itself. In this connection, it may be said that the object of the double chamber 2I23 is to provide a passage and extra. chamber for the uid metal in case the lamp is inverted or 'when it is tilted or positioned on its side with the perforation 2Ia at the bottom. Inthe latter case, the perforation is suillciently high in the partition between the divisions to be clear of the comparatively low level of the fluid 25 as distributed in the two divisions, it being essential that the chamber vhave an outlet at all times for yapor generated therein. It may also be said that the chamber 2I-23, which is of glass, need not be applied preciselyjin the manner shown to 30 the bulb I9, as standard methods of fusing or joining glass may dictate some different Way ofl joining the chamber with the bulb, the present showing being purely a matter of example or illustration.

The lead I'I emerging upwardly from the bulb 35 I9 is developed to form the cathode of the lamp, in the manner more clearly indicated in Fig. 4. It is seen that the lead is formed with crossed Abranches I'Ia and I'Ib spanning a horizontal band or ring from the latter' with downward leads I'Id which form supports for a second and third band Ile `and I'If disposed in spaced succession below the band I lc, the leads I 'ld then converging to be embedded in the glass base I6 for support. Similarly, the anode is formed by the assembly of the vertical series of bands I 8c, I8e and I8f joined by side wires I 8d, one of these being a continuation of the terminal lead I8 and the other entering the base I6 to be embedded there- 50 in and serve with the companion Wire to supportthe anode. The latter and the cathode are disposed with their correspondingly located bands in concentrically spaced relation, as shown in Fig. 2. Y

I1c. 'I'he branch Ilb is continued 40 In the operation of the lamp, the ordinary service current, such as 110 volts or 220 volts, is suillcient by the relation of the cathode to the anode and the operation of the resistance coil in the cathode lead l1 to cause a discharge between the cathode and the anode and operate the lamp by the ionization of its gas content. This presupposes that the lamp envelope and the bulb Il have been evacuated. which condition also applies to the chamber 2| -23 because of thel communication thereof. with thelamp envelope. The resistance in circuit with the lead -I1 also operates as a heater for the mercury or other vaporable substance in the chamber, so that the vapor therefrom illls the lamp and is rendered incandescent by the electronic action therein. In the action of the lamp the initial gaseous pressure is such, with relation to the spacing and co-acting areas of the anode and cathode. that suillcient current may be conducted between said electrode through the gaseous medium, such current passing through the heater. Owing to the uniform discharge area between the related bands of the electrodes, the ionizing action in the lamp is evenly distributed and spaced off into the three zones of the bands, this causing the incandescent vapor to assume an even glow within the envelope. Further, with the ample area of activity'between the electrodes, a maximum performance is made possible, rendering the lamp highly eiilcient.

- The material for the electrodes may be timgsten, nickel or molybdenum, and the gas used in the lamp may be neon, helium, argon or other suitable medium. As in other gaseous conduction lamps, the color of the light may be varied according to the compounding of the gases; and the eiiicient operation of the lamp will depend upon the accuracy in the. spacing of the electrode bands.

' In practice it is desirable to space the adiacent opposed electrode bands relatively close, the exact degree of the spacing being determined by the gaseous pressure introduced into the evacuated envelope. In any event, the spacing should be soV close with respect to the pressure and the applied voltage that the mean path of the free electrons will not gain sumcient velocity to collide withthe molecules of gas located in a direct path between the electrodes.

'Ihe chamber indicated atV 26 is more suitable for the use of sodium or other vaporable metal 21 instead of mercury. As such metal is non-fluid, it may be deposited in the chamber by any suitable method, and the perforation from the chamber made at the top, as indicated at 28. The present construction within the lamp is very adaptable for the use of metals like sodium, and experiments have produced a high degree ofillumination with a rise in temperature which is entirely within safe limits. Thus, a temperature of but 250 C. which is but little higher than in the case of mercury lamps, is involved in the usev of the novel lamp with In conclusion, it will be apparent that I have produced alamp which follows standard form and use, yet contains an arrangement of elements which is unique and productive of high emciency.

While I have referred to the .elements llc and I'Ic as cathode and anode, respectively, the presso connectedthe illumination rises and falls as the impressed iine voltage varies from one haltcycle to another.

1. A gaseous vapor lamp comprising. an envelope; heater, cathode and anode elements within 5 said envelope; a gas within the latter; laid anode and cathode being disposed in closely spaced relation to provide an electron discharge path therebetween through said gas; an inner envelope and a metal therein renderedvaporlo able by said heater; and means for rendering said heater operable to vaporize said metal by the current passing through said discharge path between the anode and cathode.

2,'A device of the character described com- 15 prising an envelope and a re-entrant stem sealed therein; a plurality of elements supported by said stem and comprising a centrally disposed heater; a non-metallic closure surrounding said heater and made integrally with said stem; a 20 chamber containing a vaporable mediuml disposed in thermal relation to said heater; cathode and anode elements surrounding said chamber; a rareiied gas within said envelope providing a discharge path therein between said cathode and u anode whereby a current may be passed Vtherebetween; electrical circuit connectionsy within said envelope whereby said discharge-path current is passed through said heater for operating the latter to -vaporize the medium within said w chamber and permit the thus-formed vaporto combine with the gas in said' discharge path; and an opening in said chamber incommunication with said vessel for permitting the thus formed vapor to enter the same. 3. A device of the character described.. a sealed envelope having a re-entrant stem therein; a plurality of concentrically disposed elements supported by said. stem and comprising a centrally disposed heater; a closure vfor said heater; a plurality of inter-communicating chambers surrounding said closure in thermalrelation thereto; at least one of said. chambers containing a vaporable metal; an opening for rendering said chambers in communicationwith said vessel; and anode and cathode elements .surrounding said chambers and heating elements.

4. In a gaseous conduction lamp;. an envelope containing a heater, a cathode and an anode; w .a pair of leads extending into said .envelope;;an ionizable medium within said envelope: com'- prising a gaseous conduction path between said anode and cathode; a vitreous vessel surrounding said heater within said anode and cathode; s said heater being connected in series with said gaseous conductor; and said series-connected t elements terminating in respective connection with said leads.

5. In a pseous conduction lamp: an envelope containing a heater, a cathodeand an anode;

a pair of leads extending into said envelope; in ionizable medium within said envelope comprising a gaseous conduction path between said anode and cathode; said heater being connected u within said envelope in series, with said gaseous conductor; a reservoir containing a vaporabla metal disposed in thermal relation to said heater and being in communication with saidenvelope; and said series-connected elements terminating 7' in respective connection with said leads.

6. In a gaseous conduction lamp: an envelope containing a heater. a cathode and an anode: apairofleadsextendingintosaidenvelope; an ionizable medium within said envelope compris- 1g' ing a gaseous conduction path between said anode and cathode; said heater being connected within said envelope in series with said gaseous conductor; a. plurality of inter-connecting reser- 5 voirs containing a vaporable metal disposed in thermal relationto said heater and being in communication with said envelope; and said series-connected elements terminating in respective connection with said leads.

7. In a gaseous conduction lamp; an envelope containing a heater, a cathode and an anode; a pair 'of leads extending into said envelope; an ionizable medium within said envelope comprising a gaseous conduction path between said anode and cathode; `said heater being connected in series with said gaseous conductor; a plurality of inter-connected reservoirs containing a vaporable medium, said reservoirs being concentrically disposed about said heater; a small opening in said reservoirs connecting the latter with said vessel; and said series-connected elements terminating in respective connection with said leads.

8. A gas-filled envelope containing an anode and a cathode disposed in closely spaced relation to provide a discharge path therebetween commensurate with the mean-free-path of the electrons due to the gaseous pressure within saidy envelope; a vitreous reservoir within said envelope containing a vaporable medium; and means for heating the vaporable medium through the walls of said reservoir.

9. A gas-lled envelope containingan anode and a cathode disposed in closely spaced rela tion to provideva discharge path therebetween commensurate with the mean-free-path of the electrons `due to the gaseous pressure within said envelope; .a vitreous reservoir within said envenlope containing a vaporable medium; and a heater element within said envelope disposed to vaporize said medium by. thermal conduction through the walls of said reservoir.

10. A gas-nlled envelopecontaining an anode and a cathode disposed in closely spaced relation to provide a discharge path therebetween commensurate with the mean-free-path of the electrons due to the gaseous pressure within said envelope; a vitreous reservoir within said envelope containing a vaporable medium; a heater element withinsaid envelope disposed to vaporize said medilun by thermal conduction through the walls of said reservoir; and means in said reservoir for permitting only the vaporized medium to enter said vessel.

11. A gaseous discharge lamp comprising a heater, a cathode and an anode element; a reservoir therein comprising an upper and a lower chamber; a vaporable medium in said lower chamber; said heater being disposed to 50 heat said reservoir to vaporize the medium therein; means for permitting only the vaporized medium to enter the upper chamber; a rareed gaseous atmosphere within said envelope adapted to provide a discharge path between said anode and cathode; and electrical circuit means con- 5 necting said gaseous discharge path in series with said heater.

12. In a gaseous conduction lamp; an envolope containing a heater, an annular cathode and an anode therefore; a pair of leads extending into 10 said envelope; an ionizable medium within said envelope comprising a gaseous conduction path between said anode and cathode; a vessel within said envelope and surrounding said heater within said anode and cathode, said heater being con- 15 nected in series with said gaseous conductor; and said series-connected elements terminating in respective connection with said leads.

13. In a gaseous conduction lamp; an envelope containing a heater, an annular cathode and an 20 anode therefor; a pair of leads extending into said envelope; an ionizable medium within said envelope comprising a gaseous conduction path between said anode and cathode; a pair of intercommunicating vessels within said envelope and 25 surrounding said heater within said anode and cathode, said heater being connected in series with said gaseous conductor; and said seriesconnected elements terminating in respective connection with said leads. 30

14. 'Ihe structure of claim 7, said reservoirs being joined mouth-to-mouth and with their joining line constrieted to lead the adjoining wall sections of the reservoirs inwardly, and said opening Ibeing adjacent to said joining line. 35

l5. The structure of claim 7, said reservoirs being annular and communicatively joined endto-end, and with their external joining line constricted to lead the adjoining wall sections of the reservoirs inwardly, and said opening being 4 0 adjacent to said joining line.

16. The structure of claim 7, said reservoirs being annular and with their outer walls of substantially semi-circular cross-section, the reservoirs being communicatively joined end-to-end 45 and with said opening adjacent to the joining line of the outer walls.

17. A gaseous vapor lamp comprising, an envelope; heater, cathode and anode elements within said envelope; a gas within the latter; said 50 anode and cathode being disposed in closely spaced relation to provide an electron discharge path therebetween through said gas; an inner envelope and a metal therein rendered vaporable by said heater, said inner envelope surrounding 55 the latter; and means for rendering said heater operable to vaporize said metal by the current Y passing through said discharge path between the anode and the cathode.

THEODORE P. KOUVALLIS. 00 

